~Aftermath~

by Utena Aston

PART ONE:

G A E A

S I X :

Allen fell ill very soon after that day. He was bed ridden and was unable to visit with many people for a while.

No one heard any reports from the troops that King Aston had sent to Freid. King Aston himself was doing some better. He considered the matter and sent in very stealth spies, not to invade, but to report back what had happened to the troops.

Makrim went into Allen's room quietly, lest the young man was sleeping. He remembered the feeling ominous feeling he had had when Domaris had suddenly burst into his chambers a few nights ago with bitter tears streaming after her. She had knelt on the floor at his feet and told him about her encounter with Allen. Makrim had been optimistic, and gone to see Eries. But now Allen was ill, which clearly meant that the spell of Domaris's magic was stronger over the man than he had thought.

Allen looked up at Makrim's entrance. He had been staring up at the ceiling. He felt as if he was drowning, his mind was fuzzy and amazingly clear at the same time. He had felt this way since he had kissed Domaris. What was it about her? He couldn't put a finger on it.

Makrim gave him an herbal drink that he hoped would soothe the headache and weakness Allen suffered. Other than that he could do nothing. But he could warn off Allen.

"Allen Schezar, I must tell you that you cannot see Princess Domaris anymore. If you do, you will become ill again."

Allen tried to sit up, but Makrim pushed him back again.

"What do you mean?!" Allen exclaimed.

Makrim did not answer.

"I think… I think I must love her…" Allen said.

Makrim jolted. Now he must tell Allen. "No, you don't love her." Makrim frowned at him sternly. "She has magic…"

"I know she has magic. She is beautiful. Her magic saved me." Allen stated this simply.

"It isn't what you think. You know of Lord Singleton's banishment?" he didn't wait for an answer. "He is the one who talk Domaris magic. He taught her father as well. But it is dark magic."

"What do you mean?" Allen asked again.

"I mean that he taught them magic of darkness that is a curse. It consumed and killed her father and now it is killing Domaris. It also caused her mother's death. You must stay away from her. The bond you feel to her is the draw she unconsciously put on you by using her magic on you, but it is made even stronger because of the fact that she saved your life with this spell. She is dark now, but she is learning to find the light. Do you know astronomy? Think of her as a black hole and you as a star that will be drawn and sucked into her to your death if you get too close. Until she has found her light within, I suggest you do not see or speak to her." Allen nodded solemnly before Makrim added snappishly, "Let alone KISS her!!!" He stomped out.

Lying still, Allen realized that what Makrim said was true. He felt sorry for the poor cursed girl. A shiver ran through him. He would make sure to steer clear of her!

As Allen slept, he dreamt. In his mind's eye he saw himself surrounded by a beautiful garden. The daylight waned and gave way to the night. He heard a soft noise behind him and turned to see a woman walk away. He followed after her. The woman wore a gown of swirling silk, and although Allen reflected that the night air might be chilly, she wore no cloak save her own pale hair, which shimmered in the moonlight.

The garden faded away and Allen still followed the woman until she led him to a room. The chamber was completely dark except for a single torch on the wall. The woman knelt next to a figure that seemingly slept on a bed. There she wept and held the person's hand and poured all of her own strength into the person, whom Allen saw was a young man. Allen stepped closer to get a better look. He saw that the man had long blond hair and a pale face that resembled his own…Suddenly Allen realized that it was himself that lay on the bed ill. He felt now that he must know who the woman was who wept so for him. He walked around the bed and beheld the woman's face. It was the most beautiful face he had ever seen, filled with patience and kindness and long-suffering and yet was so young and noble looking that he wanted to hold it and kiss it. With a shock, Allen saw that he was looking at none other than Princess Eries. It dawned on him that this dream was most odd and seemed to be giving him all that she had to give. It reminded him of when he had first woken up from his illness and seen her face above him…as if she had been there all the time doing what she was in his dream, willing him back to life. How odd! Allen thought. Why would Eries be so involved in his recovery, unless it was that she really cared for him-

Note: This is not the end of Part One yet. This isn't even the end of chapter six. I'm still working on it! Be patient, please! Part One has Eight chapters, all of which will be up soon. The story Aftermath itself has Four Parts: Gaea, Earth, War, and Peace. I know it's a very long story!!!

~Utena